TIRANA, April 26 – Authorities have busted a scam ring involving an agency offering study and work abroad after receiving several scam complaints from various citizens. At least one person was arrested on Tuesday as part of an ongoing investigation, whereas the masterminds of the scam were placed on the wanted list. Mother and daughter, Lule and Adeila Makashi, who allegedly set up the scheme had left Albania for Canada, but were returned to Albania by Canadian authorities who had been alerted by their Albanian counterparts.
The duo was subsequently arrested as soon as they landed at Rinas Airport.Anticipating arrest following increasing complaints towards the agency, the two are said to have sold the company for one euro to one of their associates Klevis Rreshka, who was arrested by police. According to preliminary investigations, the owners of Ande LM amassed a fortune by promising applicants employment in Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom in exchange for large sums of money. Job hopefuls had to pay sums that ranged between Euro 2,000 and Euro 20,000, according to police.
After submitting documents, applicants attended meetings with persons introduced as Canadian lawyers who explained visa procedures in an apparent move to make the entire thing look more credible. Police suspect up to 300 people are believed to have fallen victims to the scam, whereas authorities estimate that scammers made away with Euro 5 million. At least 50 people have filed complaints with police, while many more are expected to come forward after the scam received broad coverage on local media
